Thread: Feather or real straight - beginner from London

Hi there all,

Beginner here...

I've been checking out the forum and had a few questions which I hope you won't mind answering.

I'm used to DE shaving (Merkur HD and Merkur Futur) and Gillette Sensor. These are great for a day to day shave, but I would love to switch to straight for my day to day if that is practicable. I flirted with using a straight razor about a decade ago and couldn't really get a good shave without cuts, irritation etc.

However, I am beginning to wonder if at least part of the problem (apart from inexperience) was that I was using a cheap plastic and steel barber's disposable blade straight (i.e. the kind that take half a DE blade slotted into a groove in the blade). I am considering re-starting the experiment to see if I have better luck this time and was wondering:

1. Would a Feather AC be a better bet for a beginner who likes the idea of disposable? I have read some posts around here suggesting the Feather is perfect for ritual suicide but not such a wise bet for a beginner due to the sharpness.

2. Is a proper straight razor more forgiving than a disposable such as the Feather or the one I was using (which had Personna blades snapped in two) for a beginner? I am not concerned about getting an initial ultra smooth shave (that, I am imagining/hoping, will come with time) but I am concerned about shredding my face.

3. If so, could anyone recommend a good razor/strop set for the incompetent beginner (bearing in mind I am in London)? Budget is not really an issue. I have access to places like Jermyn St and the better known barber's shops such as Trumper, and there are quite a few places that sell straights in London, but (a) I have no idea which is a good beginner's blade/set and (b) you may be able to suggest somewhere online/community based which is preferable/more reliable.

Any advice gratefully received!

Welcome to SRP, Niccolo.

I would preface this with one my favorite of your namesake's lines:

"...for there is more than one way to skin a cat."

Either is a fine option, it really hinges on whether you go for the aesthetic and tradition of the real straight razor. Feathers are known for being VERY sharp- and harsh- the first use or so, and hitting a nice stride around the third change... then needing replacement after the fourth or so.

A feather does eliminate the need for stropping and honing, which is nice, but for me the whole mess is a hobby- and in my opinion, superior to the feather.

If you decide to go the way of a razor, I highly recommend the classifieds here, where you will find good razors from reputable folk, often and bargain prices. As for a strop near you, I hear that this Neil Miller fellow makes a good strop... though I haven't tried one myself.

Of course, feel free to ask all manner of questions... we're glad to have you here!

Cheers!

welcome to srp.

since it's in your budget, i'd definitely recommend the feather over the standard razors with disposable blades. its' a whole lot better made razor and at least for me that translated in better function.
i didn't have any issues with the sharpness of the blades, but i suppose it depends on your dextresity.

regular straight razors are different enough from the feather. usually they aren't as sharp, the blades are longer and could be a lot more flexible than a feather. a good brands are dovo, thiers issard, or boker. you probably want to get it not from jermin street but from one of the online vendors who can ensure the razor has a good edge. a 5/8 to 6/8 is good to get and i think there's just one dovo model with very heavy horn scales that i'd avoid (and i the scales on the micarta one are a bit on the heavy side, but fairly manageable).

If you are a DE shaver have you tried the Feather DE blades?
If not, IMO, you should.

The Feather-AC is one way to try open blade shaving.

Now that Feather has three slightly different blades for
the Feather-AC it may be possible to find one that
is '"just right". The Feather-AC will teach you a lot
and while it is not equal to a str8 blade it is a fine product.
You do not need to learn to strop or hone and you do
not need to purchase a strop or set of hones.

For the longest time I thought that honing and stropping
a razor to be smoother and sharper than a Feather was
nearly impossible. Well it is not impossible....

The Feather-AC does make a good open blade
razor for a traveler.

I think if I was willing to be a disposable razor guy the
DE solution would be higher on my list than a Feather-AC
YMMV

I started straight shaving with disposable straight razor blades and have a Feather along with two other brands. It was great to use it as I could focus on straight shaving and not worry about it being sharp enough, stropping, honing,..etc.

It only seemed "too sharp" on its first shave while I was learning. Once I was skilled, it wasn't too sharp anymore. After I learned how to straight shave, I bought my first Dovo straight razor and strop. This served as a nice incrimential step for me as I knew what a good performing straight razor felt like and knew the ultimate goal that I was trying to achieve.

With this in mind, I was able to feel confident about stropping and just how sharp the edge needed to feel like before it was shave ready. Also during the shave, I immediately recognized its performance, so there was very little guess work for me and this helped me understand my straight razor faster.

The Feather still comes in handy and I use it when I travel or when I just want to blow of stropping for the day. The other two I have are a Dovo Shavette and Diane 21 with persona blades. The Diane 21 is for the Budget minded, but it gets the job done and the blade lasts as long as the others. The Shavette is a little more refined and cost more. The Feather is by far the most expensive disposable straight razor.

My first straight razor was a Dovo Tortoise and I liked its performance and forgiveness.

Either way you go, it will work for you.

Pabster

Welcome from a fellow Londoner!

Where are you in London? I'm in Pimlico myself, so if you want some one on one advice or tuition then I'm happy to oblige! Just drop me a PM..!

I got my first razor and strop from Trumpers and it served me very well for several months. Their razors definately are shave ready IME, and their service is excellent!

I've always been of the opinion that if you want to use a straight razor, get a straight razor. If you get a feather to learn on, all you've done is spent the money on the feather that could have gone on the razor..!

I personally think straight razors are a better shave, and I think the edges feel smoother on the skin. Just my opinion of course, and maybe I'm biased, but thats what I reckon..!

I got a DOVO Black Star and Dorko strop from Trumpers as my first set, plus I already had a brush and soap from them from when I got my DE. All are excellent kit and will do a great job.

Good luck and keep us posted!

Thanks very much guys - both for the information and also the warm welcome. It's much appreciated.

It sounds like the Feather is a good option, but that it may be better for me to go straight to straight (if you will). I haven't tried Feather in a DE, although I have read it's incredibly sharp, which is (together with some of the comments I have read on the forums here about the Club) my concern.

I love the idea of the convenience of the feather but I am a little worried that it may simply be too sharp and too unforgiving for a beginner and that, if I am not obliged to use a disposable, it may be better to go with a proper straight.

Thanks for the suggestions - I will check out the sites. Again - unless I am wrong, it sounds like buying from a standard West End barber may mean it is not shave ready? (although Stubear - you seem to have done ok with Trumpers?) In which case I will look at Lynn and Steve's sites, and the others properly in the morning. I have been reading of the advantages of having a blade properly honed by a professional.

Ideally I want to get something that doesn't shred my face if I get it wrong. In the past, I have managed fine with onside and (less so) offside cheeks, and neck, struggled alot with chin (which ends up sore) and also with lip area (ditto). This was with the plastic disposable - I am hoping a properly made razor - whether feather or Dovo etc - might be better in this regard.

Stubear - I am based in Chelsea and the City, so I may take you up on the offer of some pointers if I run into difficulties! Thanks for the kind offer.

what you need is sharp razor and light touch, the opposite combination is what will cause you grief.
since stubear offered to help you in person you should do that for sure, that will dramatically lower the learning curve.
have fun.

Another good UK source of razors is The Invisible Edge.

The do honing and also supply new and used shave ready razors. Not used them myself but have read good things about them. No connection to me of course.

Gareth

Originally Posted by Machiavelli

Thanks for the suggestions - I will check out the sites. Again - unless I am wrong, it sounds like buying from a standard West End barber may mean it is not shave ready? (although Stubear - you seem to have done ok with Trumpers?) In which case I will look at Lynn and Steve's sites, and the others properly in the morning. I have been reading of the advantages of having a blade properly honed by a professional.

Stubear - I am based in Chelsea and the City, so I may take you up on the offer of some pointers if I run into difficulties! Thanks for the kind offer.

Ah-ha! Another City boy..! Yep, thats where I work too, on Queen Victoria Street.

Thats cool, if you do want to meet up, just let me know..!

I dont know about all the barbers in London, but I know Trumpers hone their razors. The one I got was very good! IIRC, the ones available in TOBS arent honed by them and come right from the factory, but I could be wrong there.

Steve's razors are definately shave ready and are very sharp! I've bought a couple from him now, and both have been truly excellent. His service is great too, and from ordering a razor on a Monday, I had it in my hand on Wednesday morning. He's also very helpful if you have any questions and turns his emails around very fast. A true gentleman if ever there was one.

Good luck!